Tigers prepare to unveil new look in Elgin

Overhauled offense, defense gets a look

Tiger lineman Josh Pezel rolls through a drill at practice as Big Blue prepares for the season and a scrimmage with Elgin Saturday.
Reporter/Bill Martin In this first scrimmage of the season, Jeff Miller is normally gaging his team’s intensity level and enthusiasm for the game.

However, because of recent personnel changes and an overhauled offense and defensive scheme, there will be an elevated sense of urgency when the Tigers scrimmage Elgin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Wildcat Stadium.

“There really is,” said Miller who is guiding the Tigers for the sixth year, “in that in the past we always knew what our knowledge was. This year it’s different, it is important that we do things well right off.”

The Tigers are thin at running back and will probably pass more in 2011, while they are switching over to a 4-3 defense, rather than their usual 3-4 front.

“What we have done, it’s important to throw everything at them all at once,” Miller said. “And once you pick it all up, you’re way ahead.”

Tiger assistant Bart Gibbs through their paces as they prepare to face Elgin in a scrimmage.
Reporter/Bill Martin After seven days of practice, Miller says things are moving in the right direction.

“ Our first week was really encouraging,” he said. “Moral was really high and the intensity was good.”

The Wildcats are regulars for the Tigers in pre-season and are members of District 16-4A and are picked to finish last in the seven team district.

Elgin was 2-8 last season and return 12 starters off that team.

Rockdale will host Robinson next Thursday at Tigerland Field at 7 p.m.

TIGER TRACKS—The Tigers have suffered no serious injuries in the first week, but Brandon Wright (knee) and Stephen Schneider (ankle) will sit out the scrimmage. Cody Skubal (quadricep), Markus Hayes (hamstring) and Daily nn Raimey ( groin) will participate... The Tigers lost another player when Kristian Baldevia moved to Taylor.

Cross Country

Liz McQuitter’s cross country team is having a final meeting on Friday at 10 a.m. for those who want to sign up and participate and pictures will be Friday at 6:30 at the high school rotunda.

Junior high athletics

Rockdale Junior High football and volleyball players can begin picking up their equipment on Friday, Aug. 12 with practices to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Football equipment will be issued on Friday, Aug. 12 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. for eighth graders, while the seventh graders can receive their equipment from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Junior high players may purchase their own football cleats, but they must be black.

Practices begin Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 7 to 8:50 a.m. for seventh graders and at 2:51 to 4:40 p.m. for eighth graders.

Volleyball equipment will also be handed out on Friday, Aug. 12 for the eighth graders from 8 to 9 a.m. and the seventh graders from 9 to 10 a.m.

Practices begin Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Seventh graders will practice from 6:45 to 8:50 a.m. and eighth graders from 3:40 to 5 p.m.

All athletes must have physicals and other paper work turned in and on file to participate and get their equipment.

Tickets

Advance reserve seat football tickets for previous season ticket holders will be sold at the RISD Athletic Office (in the weight room by the football field) from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 11.

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 23, anyone else wanting to purchase reserve seat season tickets may do so in the Athletic Office from 8 a.m. to noon.